Harris’s website had portions describing his stance on issues that were nearly identical to those of another conservative candidate – Rep. Phil Gingrey, a Senate candidate in Georgia.

First reported by Politico, the identical language appeared in various areas of two sites, including in statements that discussed jobs and the economy. The Gingrey campaign told Politico the statements “originated” on their end. A Harris spokesman confirmed to Dome that their website has since been updated, and the text has been reworded.

Republican consultant Tom Perdue, who is working for Harris and oversaw the writing of his website, said that a group of five college students had pulled information for his statements together based on issue statements of current politicians, including governors and Senators. The similarities were a result of his not reading over the statements closely enough, he said, blaming himself.

“There was no plagiarism intended,” Perdue said. “It was a total accident.”

Parts of the websites were nearly exactly the same, with some phrases modified to reflect that one candidate was running in North Carolina and the other in Georgia, Politico found.

On healthcare, Harris’s website read: “From day one, President Obama’s takeover of America’s health care system has been a disaster. Hard-working North Carolinians have seen their existing plans canceled and seen premium rate increases as high as 305 percent.”

The Gingrey website featured nearly the same statement. “President Obama’s take over of America’s health care system has been a disaster from day one. Hard-working men and women here in the state of Georgia have seen their existing plans canceled and face premium rates increases as high as 198 percent,” it said.

Both websites, the report said, followed with nearly the same closing.

“... It is time for Republicans in Washington to stop talking about how they want to repeal and defund Obamacare and stand up and lead the fight to do so. I intend to do just that,” Harris’s read.

“… It is time for Republicans in Washington to stop talking about how they want to repeal and defund Obamacare, and stand up and lead the fight to do it. I intend to do just that,” said Gingrey’s site.

Harris’ campaign is not the only one in the North Carolina Senate race to face questions about plagiarism. Rival Greg Brannon amended his campaign website multiple times ( here and here) to fix passages that appeared to be lifted from Sen. Rand Paul and other lawmakers.

Under the Dome is your inside source on North Carolina politics and government and has been a regular feature in The N&O since 1934. Check here for the latest on state and federal government, political advocacy and upcoming elections. This blog is maintained by the N&O politics staff.